Click here for an idea of the program (run the slideshow), where panelists, with homes or condos in all regions of France, shared their motivation, practical tips and experience in living a dual-country lifestyle.

Comments from the audience were very positive: “Very interesting and useful” –“Nice job, ‘twas a fun meeting” — “Very interesting and useful” — “The panel discussion helped me immensely to arrive at a major decision re: how to pursue my dreams of living in France” – “I was surprised to learn of the panelists’ experience in areas I would never have imagined.”
 
Since many people were unable to get into the first sold-out session, the panelists have kindly agreed to offer a second session which will be held on Friday, April 13, 6-7:30pm, covering the same material as the first. The cost to attend is $5 for Alliance members and $9 for non-members; refreshments will be served and attendees will receive printouts of the prepared questions (time in the program is also allotted to questions from the audience.)

Order your tickets below to reserve your seats. The last program sold out quickly, so act soon. Venue will be in a conference room at the church which is just below the Alliance’s Kamm House.

Come support Nicolas Batum as he faces fellow Frenchman, Tony Parker. Order your ticket as part of the French Night group sale and you’ll be invited to a planned after-game group meeting with Nic Batum!

Also, the first 29 tickets purchased will receive a $10 food voucher. Finally, a portion of each ticket purchased will be donated by the Blazers to support the Alliance Française. Tickets range from $28 to $54 — click here for how to purchase tickets as part of this special French Night promotion. 

Jeudi 23: Circuit dans les Hautes-Pyrénées – Amy Osaki nous emmènera entre pays Basque et Roussillon, dans la Bigorre où se trouvent des ‘pics’ impressionnants et, à la frontière, deux parcs nationaux.

Then consider signing up for the second presentation in this series: on Friday, February 24, 6:00 p.m. we’ll discuss river cruising in general and will preview an Alliance-sponsored river cruise from Lyon to Arles that will take place in May of 2013. This cruise is organized with the top-rated AMA Waterways and Portland-based Terri Fogarty of Euro Escapes, a certified travel agent by Maison de France (French Tourism Agency).

Alliance members get 5% off the published prices, on-board credits, the chance to socialize with other members, and complimentary French conversation sessions aboard the river cruise. Free to attend the informational preview (in English); click here to reserve your seat.

The play is in French but there is also a group of English-speaking narrators – including Molière, who’s worked on his English in the past few centuries but might still have a French accent when you come see him. The narrators and the numerous mimes used by the cast will make sure that everyone can have a good laugh and understand everything that is going on, even if you don’t speak French at all.

For complete details, click here. Free; open to the public.

The clip covered a Thursday ceremony at the Heathman attended by Alliance staff and members (click here for an informative article in Portland Business Journal).

Boulot received his medal from Deputy Consul Corinne Pereira (at left in this photo) during a formal ceremony on the following day.

At the same event, the Deputy Consul thanked Claudine Fisher for her 14 years as Honorary Consul of Oregon (the appointment of the new Honorary Consul is pending confirmation by the U.S. State Department).

Look for an upcoming link to the event photo album in an upcoming Quoi de neuf; merci to photographer Ben Trimbo.

On Sunday, March 18 at 4:30 pm Cara will present at the Alliance on her new book, Murder at the Lanterne Rouge, which will be published shortly (books will be available for purchase and signing by the author). 

Cara is a favorite presenter at the Alliance; her books are praised by the New York Times Book Review as “Forever young, forever stylish, forever in love with Paris-forever Aimée,” and by USA Today: “No contemporary writer of noir mysteries evokes the spirit of Paris more than Cara Black …” 

Click here to register for Cara’s presentation (mostly in English) on March 18; free for Alliance members and suggested donation of $3 from non-members. Refreshments will be served.

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. Please email the Alliance at info@afportland.org if you would like to be put on the waiting list.

Boulot was earlier awarded the rank of Knight in 2004. He is a James Beard award-winning chef (Best Chef in the Northwest 2001) and is one of just two French Master Chefs active in the Pacific Northwest (Maître Cuisinier de France, Académie Culinaire de France).

The promotion recognizes the leadership role Boulot has played in the introduction of French dining with a Pacific Northwest influence, through enduring connections with farmers, foragers, fishermen and winemakers. 

Click here for his biography and here for the French version of this announcement.

Jeudi 26 janvier: Chanson française: Annabelle Dolidon, chargée de cours à PSU, racontera l’histoire de la chanson française au 20e siècle. Jeudi 10 novembre. Le pays des 360 fromages: Christopher Stellman, notre expert culinaire, parlera de cet élément essentiel et indispensable des menus français.

Click here to reserve your spot for our annual wine and hors d’oeuvres party Friday, February 10, at the Hotel Modera, with catering by Nel Centro.

The pre-film party is free to Alliance members and each member can bring one guest. Not an Alliance member yet? No problem, sign up online for membership in the Alliance or call 503.223.8388.

The PIFF screening of Déclaration de guerre (Declaration of War) follows at 8:30 at Whitsell Auditorium. Remember that you must buy your movie tickets separately! Buy the film tickets at the Alliance Française — while they last (for $9; no service charge!) or buy tickets online at www.nwfilm.org.

Click here to see last year’s photos of this event.